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Cross the Bridge - April 4, 2016

2016Apr 04

COMMENTS

Hospital or Mausoleum? Monday, April 4th 2016

1 Chronicles 6:57-60

"And to the sons of Aaron they gave one of the cities of refuge, Hebron; also Libnah with its common-lands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its common-lands, Hilen with its common-lands, Debir with its common-lands, Ashan with its common-lands, and Beth Shemesh with its common-lands. And from the tribe of Benjamin: Geba with its common-lands, Alemeth with its common-lands, and Anathoth with its common-lands. All their cities among their families were thirteen."
NKJV

Jesus equated hating someone with murder because murder is what lurks in the heart of all who hate. Jesus also equated lust with adultery because adultery is what lurks in the heart of all who lust. It is a heart issue. Without physically committing murder, we have still done so because it is in our heart. Sin has many tentacles and it will find its way into all the cracks we leave open in our lives. Who can say they have never hated? Who can say they have never lusted, lied or stolen? We all need a refuge.

It has been said that the church is a hospital for sinners and not a mausoleum for saints. The perfect church does not exist because all churches are made up of people and all people have sinned (Romans 3:10, 23). The church is a refuge where murderers, adulterers, liars and idolaters come to the One who can forgive our sins, Jesus. When the church puts on an air of righteousness and unobtainable holiness, we cease to be a refuge and become a mausoleum instead.

Hebrews 6:18 "So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence." NLT

Life Lesson: The church should be a city of refuge.

Dear God,
Thank You for loving me. Thank You for providing Your Son as a refuge for my sins. Lord, I need You. Through You, I can lay down the chains of my past and lay hold of the hope You have set before me. Help me to be strength to others. Give me the ability to use my gifts and talents to draw others closer to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.